How do I get rid of fruit flies?

Getting rid of fruit flies is all about two things: removing their food source and trapping the adults.

1. Identify and Eliminate the Breeding Grounds

Fruit flies lay eggs in moist, fermenting organic matter. They don't just hang out on fruit; they love drains, trash cans, and spills.

• Toss or hide the food: Throw away any overripe fruit or vegetables. If you have produce on the counter, move it to the refrigerator or a sealed container for a few days.
• Clean the drains: Even if you don't see them, they often breed in the film inside kitchen drains. Pour a mixture of boiling water and vinegar down your drains to clear out any residue.
• Empty the trash: Clean out your kitchen trash can and recycling bin, as a small amount of liquid at the bottom can be a breeding site.

2. Set Up a Simple Trap

You can easily make a trap using items you already have:

• The Vinegar Trap: Fill a small bowl or jar with about an inch of apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap (this breaks the surface tension so the flies sink instead of landing on top). Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes in the top with a toothpick. The flies will crawl in, but they won't be able to get out.
• The Paper Funnel: If you don't have plastic wrap, roll a piece of paper into a cone shape and place it in the neck of a jar containing vinegar or a piece of overripe banana. The small opening at the bottom makes it easy for them to enter but nearly impossible for them to find their way out.

3. Maintain Hygiene

• Wipe up spills: Check under your appliances, in your pantry, and around the sink for any hidden spills or crumbs.
• Wash produce: When you bring home new fruit, wash it thoroughly to remove any hidden eggs that might have come from the grocery store.

How long does it take? If you eliminate the breeding site and set a trap, you should see a significant decrease within 24 to 48 hours. If they persist, it is a strong indicator that there is a hidden source of moisture or rotting food—like a forgotten potato under the sink or a leak in a drain pipe—that you haven't located yet.